Fueling Student-Driven Change
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The Women for UMass Grants program nurtures the next generation of female leaders by supporting impactful student projects.
With its strongest application cycle in fall 2024, the Women for UMass (WFUM) Grants program awarded $39,220 to nine student-led projects that aim to inspire, uplift, and provide meaningful experiences for the next generation of women.
These projects, set to unfold between January and June 2025, include initiatives like Hack(H)er413, a 24-hour tech marathon for women and nonbinary students; an accessible, on-campus abortion doula program; and a research study that examines the connection between sleep and emotional memory in women.
There’s also a mathematics symposium, a leadership summit for women in civil engineering, and a workshop series aimed at building an intentional, supportive space for African female graduate students.
Rounding out this year’s projects are the Women of Isenberg Conference, a legacy project funded by WFUM that will bring together 450 alumnae, students, and corporate sponsors to discuss workplace challenges and opportunities; Empowerment Expedition, a road trip to Boston where students will meet with female leaders in business; and Anthropocene Reflections, an exhibition exploring how humans interact with and shape their environments.
“I was wowed by the number, strength, and variety of the applications, groups, and projects,” says Janie Kaplan ’79, WFUM chair and graduate of the Isenberg School of Management. “We as a volunteer organization are excited by them all because they support a diverse community across UMass Amherst.”
WFUM grants provide up to $5,000 for student projects, most of which are tied to Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) or academic departments. There are two application cycles with one in fall and another in spring.
“The application forces students to look at their projects for its entire life cycle – from design to implementation. Students learn a lot during the application process,” Kaplan explains.
When crafting their project proposals, students define their goals, identify stakeholders, plan budgets, and highlight how their projects will benefit the UMass community.
Submitted applications are reviewed by the WFUM grants committee, comprised of UMass Amherst alumnae from all life stages. Together, they evaluate the projects for feasibility and potential impact. Semifinalists are then invited to further present their ideas to the committee, showcasing their passion and vision.
"Impact is probably one of the most important questions in my mind,” says Kaplan. “We want to know: Why is their project important to the UMass Amherst community? What percent of UMass Amherst students, faculty, staff, and community members will be impacted? Each project has to align with our mission to empower all UMass Amherst women to achieve their personal, professional, and academic success through learning, leadership, and connection.”
The grants program challenges students to conceptualize and execute a project from start to finish. They start by creating professional proposals, then execute a project in real time, and finish by analyzing the project’s success. Students then present the results to the WFUM committee.
“These projects are long and complex and require — and therefore cultivate — great skills for the student grantees, skills that can be used after graduation in any job they take on,” Kaplan says. “It’s no easy thing to design and implement a grant project. We're proud of these students. And they are truly making an impact within their community and across the UMass campus.”
Since 2013, WFUM has funded almost 100 projects with nearly $400,000, thanks to member pledges and donations. Many initiatives have grown into annual programs, known as legacy projects, that continue to thrive.
The grants program also offers an important avenue to introduce students to the work done by Women for UMass. The hope is these students, upon graduation, consider joining WFUM to pay it forward and stay engaged with their alma mater long after graduation.
“Students frequently tell us that without the WFUM funds, their projects may not have been successfully implemented — or implemented at all,” Kaplan says. “It's why we hope to continue growing this program and making a meaningful difference in the community for years to come.”
WFUM grant applications will open the week of February 3. Eligible on campus projects or programs occurring between July 1 – December 31, 2025 could receive up to $5,000 to transform ideas into reality. Learn more about applying for the WFUM grants or explore a list of funded projects.
On Wednesday, March 26, WFUM invites the entire UMass community to join us in Boston for an inspiring event—Conversations with Women of UMass—focused on building meaningful professional relationships. Learn more and register today!
Your support makes these transformative projects possible. Make a gift to the Women for UMass Grants program today.